juniorT-SQL

What is SELECT statement in T-SQL?

Updated May 17, 2026

Short answer

SELECT is used to retrieve data from one or more tables in SQL Server.

Deep explanation

SELECT is the fundamental query used in T-SQL to fetch data. It can retrieve specific columns, apply filters, and combine data from multiple tables. It forms the basis of most database operations.

Real-world example

Fetching employee names for an HR dashboard.

Common mistakes

  • Selecting all columns using * without need, causing performance overhead.

Follow-up questions

  • What is SELECT * impact?
  • Can SELECT modify data?

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